Grant Program for Saint Lucian Entities to Conserve Biodiversity and Natural Resources

Deadline: 7 May 2019

The Saint Lucia National Conservation Fund (SLUNCF) is pleased to launch its call for proposals for Environmental Management & Conservation Projects in Saint Lucia, with a focus on projects that directly support plans and policies for environmental management, conservation, climate change adaptation and mitigation, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable livelihoods.

Objectives

The purpose and objectives of the SLUNCF are to support:

the management and expansion of Saint Lucia’s areas of land and/or sea;
other activities that contribute substantially to the conservation, protection and maintenance of biodiversity as identified after consultation with stakeholders; and
the creation of sustainable livelihoods from Saint Lucia’s biological diversity and natural resources.

Funding Information

The SLUNCF has approximately $300,000 XCD this year to issue as grants. The grant size can vary from $2,000 USD to $50,000 USD. Funded projects should be implemented within 2 years.

In-kind Contributions

Based on their financial capacities, grantees will be expected to provide in-kind and/or cash contributions in ratios described below.

Public sector agencies must provide co-financing (in-kind or cash) of 1:1.
Local universities or colleges must provide co-financing (in-kind or cash) of 1:1.
Local or regional (Caribbean) NGOs must provide co-financing (in-kind or cash) of 1:1.
Private corporations or other companies must provide a 1:2 match of cash funds for all proposals, and they must not generate a profit through project activities.
Local community associations/community bodies are not required to provide a match, but it will be advisable if they could identify some in-kind contributions.
Other appropriate local entities will be considered on a case by case basis but in general it will be advisable if they could identify some in-kind contributions.

Projects and Grant Types

The SLUNCF will support single grants lasting no more than two years, ranging from $5,000 – $50,000 USD, and may adjust this range as is needed. Depending on project outcomes, grantees may be able to apply for and receive more funding following the completion of the first grant. The SLUNCF may consider funding grantee activities including:

Natural resource and biodiversity management activities such as:
- Recurrent management of natural resources and biodiversity conservation programs (excluding operations and administrative costs and staff salaries)
- trainings on climate change adaptation for marine and terrestrial ecosystems
- implementation of restoration activities
- development of management plans and strategies
- sustainable land management
Climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction activities such as:
- Activities that enhance the resilience of communities and their capacity to adapt to climate change and to mitigate disasters
- strengthen key sectors such as agriculture, coastal zone management, water, etc. to adapt to climate change
- small scale renewable energy projects aimed at mitigating climate change
Livelihoods: Projects focused on engaging communities in developing and implementing sustainable and alternative livelihood projects, such as:
- ecotourism enterprises,
- creation of biodiversity conserving products and practices
- non-timber forest product-based livelihoods
Education and awareness: Activities that promote building community awareness about biodiversity and conservation (e.g., climate change awareness, natural resource and biodiversity regulations)
Technical support/capacity building: Institutional strengthening and capacity-building on specific topics (e.g., climate change adaptation, alternative livelihoods), including travel costs to capacity building and training programs for government staff
Research: Grant programs designed to support conservation-oriented research (e.g., collection of baseline data on pollution and water quality, monitoring of restoration sites)
Basic equipment/tools: Small infrastructure, travel capacity, and supplies related to specific natural resources and biodiversity management projects
Policy: Projects designed to result in strengthening the legal and policy framework for conservation of ecosystems and PAs (e.g., identify gaps in the legal/policy framework for PAs; identifying government champions to support conservation)

Non-Eligible Projects

A number of project types will not be eligible to receive funding from the SLUNCF. Non-eligible projects include:

One-time and recurring operation/administrative costs of ministries, agencies, departments
Salaries for executive officers or core organization staff
Activities relating to extraction
Purchase of land
Projects not consistent with the purpose of the SLUNCF
Projects related to political campaigns and/or political propaganda
Projects that violate provisions of the Inter-American Convention on Corruption
Projects that could be expected to give a conflict of interest

Eligible Applicants

Applications for funding from the SLUNCF may be received from the following entities:

Public sector agencies responsible for natural resource and biodiversity conservation.
Local universities or colleges conducting activities relevant to the vision, mission, goals, and strategies of the SLUNCF.
Local or regional (Caribbean) NGOs established, legally-registered and existing in Saint Lucia for no less than 5 years and with an established track record and co-financing (in-kind or cash) of 1:1.
Private corporations or other companies from relevant industries involved in marine/terrestrial ecosystem and biodiversity clean-up, protection, conservation, and/or monitoring. Private corporations must be established in Saint Lucia for at least one (1) year
Local community associations/community bodies with direct impact on marine and/or terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystem resources (e.g., fisherfolk associations, youth groups, church groups).
Other appropriate local entities of Saint Lucia working toward the vision, mission, and goals of the SLUNCF.

Applications process

Step 1: Proposal Solicitation and Outreach
Step 2: Concept Note Review and Approval
Step 3: Full Proposals Review and Awarding Grants
Step 4: SLUNCF and Grantee Implementation
Step 5: Grant Close Out
Step6: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning
- Grantee Reporting and Monitoring
  - Interim project financial and progress reports
  - Financial statements
  - End of project report